The funny thing about my wedding day was that I woke up next to the man I was marrying that day. Hopefully I would wake up to him for the rest of my life, I was sure that I would.

We both put on sweat pants and sweatshirts and pulled our outfits out of the closet, after all of the people in the apartment had showered and Meredith had made us a good-luck, wedding morning breakfast, we left.

Another funny thing is: my husband-to-be dropped Meredith and I off at the beauty parlor where all of us girls were meeting to have our hair and make-up done. Then the limo would take us from there to the church after we had gotten dressed.

It sounds good, right?

But, wow were things going wildly that morning.

“Jess!” I yelled while getting my hair done.

“What Dirb?” Jessica said coming over to me with her dress half on.

“Can you please keep Margo off of my dress,” I said while the woman doing my hair tried to hold my head straight.

“Sure thing,” Jessie said walking off.

“Bad news,” Meredith said while walking up to me. She was the one in the room who was fully dressed and ready to go. She was holding her cell phone.

“What? Don’t tell me Zac’s run out?” I said laughing.

“No worse. First the caterer can’t bring two different white wines; they can bring one white and one red.”

”Okay, that’s fine and the second bad thing.”

”Umm, the salmon. Well, we can’t have that either. Something about tuna or protestors, whatever. We can have two chicken dishes instead.”

”Okay, that’s fine, I like chicken better than salmon anyways,” I said.

Then someone yelled out to me that the bouquets had just arrived, even though they were supposed to be delivered to the church.

After getting ready and having everything fall apart, it seemed, we were all ready to go to the church.

Okay, I know it sounds like I was over-reacting, but I mean… It was my wedding day, everything had to go perfect. There couldn’t be a single thing wrong, like salmon.

I was the last one to put on my dress and everyone helped me get it on, not messing up my hair or make-up.

It was finally time to go and right before we got into the limo all of my girlfriends and soon-to-be family said something sweet to me. I really took it all to heart, these were the last words I was going to hear before I changed my life dramatically. I was so happy about it though.

Finally, we pulled up to the church. All of the groomsmen, including my dad, were standing outside waiting to usher us in.

That meant that Zac was standing at the end of the aisle.

Abigail was keeping everything together, still to this day; I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She got us lined up. In the line it was Isaac and Meredith, Taylor and Jessie, Mack and Avie, next come Ezra and Xander who both had a white lace pillow with the wedding bands tied to the pillow.

They were going to stand on either side of the preacher. Ezra on the minister’s left, in front of Zac, holding my ring, and Xander on the minister’s right, in front of me, holding Zac’s ring.

Then it was Zoe and Margo who both had a basket full of white rose petals.

Last in line were my father and myself. Once we were lined up on the red carpet that extended to the front of the church, Abigail signaled for “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” to start playing by the piano player. Everyone began to walk down the aisle and finally, the flower girls were in.

Then “The Wedding March” began and me and my dad started walking down the aisle. There were so many people that I knew and loved standing and looking at me, but I didn’t see any of that, I had my eyes fixed on Zac.

I was ignoring all of the flashing lights from the reporter’s, family member’s, and professional photographer’s cameras, all that mattered was the smile on Zac’s face.

That smile I won’t ever forget. The memory of that smile is what got me through so many hard days to come. Finally we got up to the front. My dad pulled back my veil, kissed me on the cheek. I told him that I loved him, and then he laced my and Zac’s hands together.

I looked into Zac’s eyes, they were beautiful and smiling.

“Together we have joined today to celebrate the joining of Zachary Walker Hanson and Dirbee Rose Baxter. But, before we get started we’re going to share a few songs and a few memories with the bride and groom,” my favorite pastor from my childhood, Stephen Styllis began.

Mrs. Hanson went up front to light all of the candles, and then she lit both of the mother candles in place of my mother. Tears filled my eyes and I felt Zac squeeze my hand. He knew what I was thinking.

Then Mrs. Hanson grabbed a mic and Mr. Hanson walked up beside her and picked up a microphone, what were they doing? I hadn’t known about this.

Then Taylor left the line and sat down at the piano. He began to play a song that from that day on Zac and I called “our song”. I was the only song Zac and I had written together and Taylor had written the piano part.

I, sadly to say, had forgotten about the song, but the title came to me as soon as Mr. and Mrs. Hanson started to sing in perfect harmony. “Never After Today” was the name of that song and the lyrics really did mean a lot towards me and Zac’s relationship and love for each other.

“Tomorrow I’ll wake
And see your beautiful face
For tonight you’ll be mine
And forever my sun will rise
Because never after today
Will I ever go away
I am yours and
You are mine
So, never after today
Shall my love ever fade away.”

When the song was over Mr. and Mrs. Hanson sat back down and Taylor come back to the line. Then Pastor Stephen began to speak again.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for the sacred joining of Zachary Walker Hanson and Dirbee Rose Baxter. If anyone has any objections please speak now.” A shock went through my hand and into Zac’s. I looked into his and eyes and I was sure that what I was seeing Zac was seeing in my eyes too; happiness, pure happiness. I hadn’t ever been this happy.

“Okay, well I guess we’ll move on,” Pastor Styllis began again. “We’ll get right to it then. First, the bride and groom are going to say their own written vows and then they are going to repeat the traditional vows. First will be the groom.”

Zac took a piece of crumpled paper from Isaac and opened it, then cleared his throat. I was looking Zac in the eyes and he looked up at me, and started talking. He wasn’t reading he was quoting from memory and showing me that he was honest by looking me in the eyes.

“I’ve never met someone and
have immediately gotten butterflies.
But, the day I laid eyes on you
I knew you were the one
Because of the butterflies.
So, today I, Zachary Hanson
Give you my word that I will
Never leave your side and
I will forever love you today
And the next day
Like I did yesterday.
To this I pledge my all and my love,” Zac finished and there were tears streaming down my face. Then it was my turn. I turned to Meredith who was standing behind me holding my bouquet.

She handed me an index card and I sniffled a bit getting ready to read. I was still crying, but I had to get this out to Zac and tell him how I felt.

“You may think that today things are changing
But the truth is, the only thing that is changing
Is my love for you.
For it grows stronger as our lives move forward together.
The day I met you I thought I loved you
With all that I could, but today
I love you more than I ever have before
So, on this day, I, Dirbee Baxter
Am pledging to honor you from this day forward
I will never leave you and
Will always cherish you.
With all of my love.” I finished and looked up at Zac. He too had tears in his eyes. That was it, according to us, we were pledged to each other. Now it was time for tradition.

Pastor Stephen cleared his throat.

“Okay… Do you Zachary take thee Dirbee to be your lawfully wedded wife. To honor and cherish in sickness and in health until death do you part?”

“I do,” Zac answered.

“The ring please,” Pastor Styllis said and Xander handed the ring to me which I took and put the wedding band, which signified out love, on his left finger.

“And you Dirbee take thee Zac to be your lawfully wedded husband to honor and to cherish in sickness and in health until death do you part?”

“I do,” I answered as my voice cracked somewhat.

“The ring please.” Ezra handed Zac the ring and he put it on my left ring finger.

“By the authority bestowed to me by the state of Oklahoma and by God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You, Zac, may kiss the bride. May God be with you in your marriage,” Pastor Stephen said and Zac pulled me towards him and we kissed in front of all our friends and family and finally as husband and wife.

The pianist played “Ode to Joy” and we ran out of the sanctuary and into the foyer.

Everyone crowed around us congratulating us. Zac motioned for everyone to quiet down.

“Okay, the reception’s at Hanson Hall, ironic I know, but oh well. We’ll see you all there. If you need directions to the building see either my mom or dad. We’ll be there shortly, go ahead, start partying,” Zac finished and everyone whooped and hollered.

After everyone had left the photographer gathered everyone from the wedding parties and Zac and I’s immediate family into the sanctuary. He first got me by myself in front of the stained glass window and he started taking pictures after they had my train situated and I was smiling.

Then Zac came up and we took pictures together. I made sure to take off my shoes so that Zac was much taller than I was. Then Meredith, my maid of honor, and Isaac and Taylor, Zac’s two best men, came up.

Next it was everyone so that included my and Zac’s family. Then it was just my wedding party and then just me and Meredith.

Finally I got off the platform and the photographer took pictures of Zac and his groomsmen. Next it was just Zac, Taylor, Isaac, and Mack.

Then the last pictures were of me and Zac kissing. One in black and white and one in color.

We told the photographer that we’d see him at the reception. He was just going to take informal pictures of everyone.

Zac and I went into the little room designated “ours” and I changed into a white summer dress that I could wear comfortable shoes with and me and my husband talked about our wedding day.

He kept calling me Mrs. Hanson and I loved it. We finally got in our Honda and drove to the reception, when we got there, everyone greeted us and I loved all the attention. I hadn’t noticed, but most of my friends from high school had come.

I kept looking for Carter, but I couldn’t find her. I hoped she wasn’t mad me for not putting her in my wedding party.

Zac and I walked up to the long table where the rest of our wedding parties were sitting at. Just Mack, Isaac, Taylor, Avie, Jessie, and Meredith were up there. Zoe, Margo, Ezra, and Xander were sitting with their mothers. We took our seats and the rest of the people in the hall took a hint and started to sit down too.

“First off,” Zac said standing up. “I just want to thank everyone for coming today to share with me and Dirbee’s wedding, so for my first toast,” Zac said raising his glass of white wine.

“To my wonderful, new wife; Dirbee, you came into my life a year ago and I haven’t been the same since. For this I will forever owe you my life. To forever,” Zac finished.

“To forever,” the room chorused and sipped their drink.

“My second toast is to my family,” Zac went on and I picked up my glass again. “I know I’ve surprised you a lot and this had probably by far been the biggest, but it is the best and I just want to say thank you for always supporting me. To family,” Zac once again finished.

“To family,” the room and I chorused.

Zac sat down and I stood up.

“I grew up dreaming about this day, even with Zac, seeing as I was his biggest fan, which I hope you can prove now,” everyone laughed at my joke. “But, never in my wildest fantasy did I dream that it would come true. But, I’m here today, so, I guess this first toast is to making dreams come true,” I raised my glass of red wine.

“To making dreams come true,” the room joined in.

“My second toast is to Zac, the love of my life, my hero. He has no idea how he saved me and for that I will owe him my forever. My love will never change nor fade, it will only grow. SO, this toast is to love,” I raised my glass.

“To love,” the room said and drank.

I sat back down and kissed Zac and it was Meredith’s turn. I looked at her and she stood up.

“Dirbee, I didn’t know you at all the day I met you, but when you spoke to me I knew we would be friends forever. And here I am nine years later maid of honor and speaking at your wedding.

“I know things are changing for you, but I hope they never have to change for us. Zac, I don’t’ know you very well, but I know you’re perfect for Dirbee because you’re making her happy and trust me, music and myself are about the only things that can really do that,” the people laughed, it must’ve been true.

“So, today I’m toasting to Zac and Dirbee, may you forever keep each other happy,” Meredith raised her glass and drank and the people in the room followed suit.

Zac put his arm around me and we turned to look at Taylor, he was giving the toast at this wedding. Isaac had given it at Taylor’s wedding and Zac had given it at Isaac’s wedding, now it was Taylor’s turn.

“Well, well, well, look at this, Zac’s grown up, even though he’s still technically a child. I never thought he’d calm down enough to catch a woman.” Taylor was cracking up and the room was roaring. Zac was smiling and shaking his head, but I leaned over and whispered,

“Don’t worry I would’ve just been hyper with you,” Zac looking at me.

“You really do love me,” he had a serious look in his eyes. I shook my head yes. “And I love you too,” Zac said and he leaned over and kissed me. Taylor’s voice broke in:

“Look at this, he’s such a pimp can’t even joke around a bit before he’s macking on his woman,” Taylor looked at me in the eyes and said he was sorry with a blink. I knew he was joking, I could handle it.

“Hey Taylor how about you get to the point or shut up!” I yelled out.

“FINE!” Taylor said, everyone was still laughing, but quietly now, they were ready for Tay to be serious.

“My little brother, it seems like just yesterday we were telling you not to stick your head out of the bus window. Now, I have to do that with my own son and you will have to do the same one day. All I’ve ever wanted to do was watch you grow up and now that you’ve gone and done it, I’m not sure that’s what I’ve been wanting. I’m just glad you’ve found Dirbee so you don’t go and waste your life.

“And to Dirbee, you’re now my sister, so that makes me your brother and that’s all I ever expect you to be act like towards me. You are perfect for each other and that was obvious to all of us from day one. So, today I’m toasting to Zac and Dirbee, may you grow old together and may you always be perfect.” Taylor finished and raised his glass, the room copied and said our names.

Zac and I stood up, “You’re all welcome to get food and there’ll be some music playing so feel free to dance. Just have fun!” Zac finished and people started to move.

“Also,” I said kind of loud and people stopped. “We’d like to have a word with each and everyone of you before you leave, so please make that happen, now, get something eat!” I laughed.

For the next two hours Zac and I walked around talking to people. We had our first dance as a couple and the father-daughter dance, and then we created the mother-son dance, just for fun.

After Zac and I finally ate (which is the one thing that differed about us was our likes and dislikes in the food category, it all had to do with where we grew up) I saw Carter, she was carrying a wrapped box in her hands.

“Hey guys!” she said to me and Zac.

“Hey Carter!” we both said, Zac remembered her from the day him and I had met.

“Where’ve you been, dumb ass, I’ve been looking for you the whole time,” I said greeting her like I normally did.

“For your info slash data, I was buying you this,” Carter said shoving the box into my hands.

“And it is?” Zac questioned my crazy friend. At that time Meredith walked up and was listening.

“Well, it’s the sex game. You’re supposed to play it before the first time you have sex with your mate and it changes how good it is.”

“Carter, are you drunk?” I asked getting in her face.

“Of course,” Carter replied, she was like that, we stopped caring. She always had someone to drive her home.

“How? We don’t have barely any alcohol here,” Zac said amazed.

“She either came like that or she brought her own,” I answered for her. I directed my attention back to Carter, “Just don’t throw up anywhere, Zac’s mom is cleaning up.”

”Okay,” my best friend replied.

“Well, this game sounds like a load of bullshit to me,” Meredith chimed in.

“No, it’s not, Adam and I played it the other day and then had sex, it was a lot better than usual,” Carter told us, proudly. Adam was her serious boyfriend that she’d been with forever. They were in love, but he was gothic and didn’t believe in marriage and Carter had started to believe the same thing over the years. They’d grow old together, but they’d always just be dating. They were cute though.

“I’m going to put this is the car so it doesn’t get into the wrong hands,” I told Zac and he nodded in agreement. I grabbed Meredith’s arm so she’d come with me. When we got outside we started to do our girl-talk again.

“Thanks for your toast. It really meant a lot, neither Zac nor I will ever forget it,” I said.

“No problem. Dirb, you’re sure tonight will be you and Zac’s first time,” Meredith asked again.

“Mer, I’m positive, why do you keep asking?”

“Because I find it hard to believe that you two were best friends for year, lived together, got engaged, then slept in the same bed for two weeks and still never had sex.”

”Mer, I told Zac that I wanted to wait until tonight. He respected that, I know he was thinking about it though, because we sleep in the same bed, but it doesn’t mean we actually did anything.”

”Eww, Dirb, that’s gross, I didn’t need to know all that,” she exclaimed.

“What? It’s a fact of life, hell, I don’t care, it’s not the first time it’s happened to me, but whatever. Now, come on, let’s go inside and have some fun. Zac and I are getting ready to leave.”

”I know, okay. I love you Dirb, you’re great.”

”I love you too, now come on,” I said and we walked inside with our arms linked together.

”Hey baby,” Zac said while kissing me on the cheek when I walked up to him. “What’d you girls talk about out there for so long?” Zac questioned smiling at me.

“I told her what happened the other night,” I said hoping that he wouldn’t get angry.

“Aw, Dirb, what’d you do that for?” he said, blushing.

“She asked again if we had done anything yet, I told her that you respected me enough to wait until tonight. Then, I told her that we were both thinking about it, it just didn’t mean we were doing it, and she caught my drift.”

”Okay, but no one else,” Zac said sounding like a kid.

“There’s no one else besides you,” I said reaching up and kissing him on the cheek. I took his hand and we walked over to where Taylor and Isaac were standing with their wives and children.

They made room for us in the circle; Isaac was getting ready to say something when Ezra ran up.

“Daddy, daddy! Can I ask you a question?” he said in his small voice.

“Sure son, go ahead,” Taylor said squatting down to his level.

“Zoe says that you’re not trying to save yourself. How come you’re not trying to save yourself for me, Mommy, and baby Logan?” Ezra question, not knowing what he had said.

Taylor’s face went pale and Natalie’s free hand that wasn’t holding Logan dropped down onto his shoulder.

Taylor looking his son straight in the eyes, but all the rest of us had let our head bow toward the ground like we were trying to pray for deliverance from this moment.

Zac’s hand when limp in mine and I grabbed him in an embrace, I didn’t want him to go and throw up. I had begun to cry as had Zac and Natalie.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanson had seen the commotion and had come over. They didn’t ask what happened; we all just waited for Taylor to speak. When he did speak his voice came out strong and unwavering unlike any of us would’ve been able to do, I’m sure.

“Ezra, I’m very sick with something called cancer. Remember when you got that earache a while back and it hurt real bad?” Taylor stopped and waited for his only son’s reply.

“Yeah,” he said, his voice sounded even smaller.

“Well, mine is much worse and it hurts a lot more,” Taylor paused and Zac heaved a sob, he couldn’t stand this. Taylor looked up at me and gave me the same sorry expression as earlier only this time I noticed a lot more pain in his eyes.

“Zoë’s right, I haven’t been trying to save myself, see, grown-ups believe in some things and don’t believe in others and this is one of those things that I don’t believe in.” Taylor stopped and I could feel Zac’s muscles tightening. He was going to fight me to run, but I wasn’t going to let him run away from this reality.

By that time some people had gathered around us and the photographer had been taking pictures, before someone had made him stop.

“So, you don’t believe in saving yourself for people like Uncle Zac and Uncle Isaac?” Ezra had said it, the breaking point. Zac started to fight me.

“No, Zac, don’t run! Listen to him!” I was yelling. Taylor stood up and walked over, the music stopped playing and Taylor touched Zac’s arm and he was holding Ezra’s hand.

“Dirb, let me go, I’m going to be sick… Dirbee, honey please,” Zac said, his voice sounded old when he had called me honey and it had caught me off guard. I let him go and he ran off towards the bathrooms. I turned to Taylor.

“He does this a lot and I’m going to go through this for the rest of my life, but I will never give up.” He looked hurt when I said that, but I didn’t stay long I ran off towards Zac.

I walked into the men’s bathroom. There was a man using a urinal, I apologized quickly, he said it was fine and pointed to the stall Zac was in. I got some paper towels and walked into the stall and locked the door behind me.

“Baby, are you okay?” I questioned because Zac hadn’t been vomiting, he’d been crying, sobbing.

“No, here he goes again. Perfect angel Taylor always gets the spotlight and he’s always been Mom and Dad’s favorite, even when he’s out getting girls pregnant, smoking, and drinking. Now, I’m here on my wedding day and what does he do, he goes and takes it all away, again. Dirb, I love him and I want him to get the chemo and not die, but please just back off for once when it’s not your turn for some attention.” Zac stopped and took in a sharp breath; I knew what he was feeling. I said the same thing about my mom and up to this day I don’t regret saying it. Zac just had to know I was there for him.

“Zac, listen, I understand completely and I’m not just saying that to say that, I understand. He’s your brother thought Zac, and he loves you, if he knew you felt this way, he’d be hurt. Please let’s just clean you up, get out there, sing the song, and then get out of here,” I said turning his face to look at me.

“Okay, and then maybe when we get to the hotel we can play that game,” Zac said coming to normal.

“Fine by me!” I said and we both stood up and walked to the sink and I held his loose tie back while he washed and dried his face and then he kissed me and we walked out of the men’s bathroom, holding hands.

Taylor greeted us at the door with a half smile on his face, “You okay?”

Zac didn’t answer so I answered for him.

”He will be.”

”I’ve decided to take the chemo,” Taylor said once again “Stealing the spotlight” or so Zac had said. My grip tightened on Zac’s hand and I kept walking.

“Tay, we just want to sing the song so we can get out of here, we’ll talk about this when Zac and I get back.”

“Okay, we can do that,” and Tay motioned to Ike and they both positioned themselves in their familiar spots behind their familiar instruments.

Zac got behind the drum set and I got a mic.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls for the last song I’d like to welcome Hanson with special guest singer my new beautiful wife… Dirbee Hanson,” Zac yelled into his mic from behind the drum set. “Tonight we’re going to be singing the song we wrote for and dedicated to our late grandmother who we wish could be here today. Only we’re going to change it around a bit. Dirbee and I are singing lead. Let’s just see how you guys like it,” Zac stopped talking and the song starting playing through the guys fingers.

Then Zac and I began to sing in perfect melody when the chorus rolled around the other two guys started singing. It was basically like Zac and Taylor had switched places and I think Zac liked it.

Finally the song was over and Zac began to talk into the microphone again.

“Sorry everyone, but it’s over now I hate to do it, but I’m going to have to kick you all out so my wife and I can start enjoying the privileges of being married. If you’ve ever wanted to throw something at Dirbee or myself now would be the time I think there’s rose petals and bird seed mix out there to toss at us. So we’ll see you guys when we get back,” Zac finished and everyone clapped. I put my mic to my mouth and said:

“Meredith Townsend and my father I need to speak to you both ASAP so come see me,” I finished and put the mic down and saw both my dad and Meredith running towards me.

“What?” they both said simultaneously.

“You can both stay for however long as you like, Mer I hope you move in and Dad I know whatever I say won’t change whatever plans you’ve made. So, decide while we’re gone, see you guys.”

I took Zac’s hand and we ran out the door while everyone threw stuff at us. When we got outside I stopped dead, they had decorated my car.

“Come on,” Zac said. “We’ll clean it off together.”

So, we both got in and started driving. Luggage for two weeks worth was in the back and it was only two o’clock in the afternoon. We were going to Portland, Oregon for our honeymoon. Portland was the city of roses, that’s why we were going, and it was about a four hour flight.

So, our journey started, not just our journey to Portland, but our journey through life, our journey together as husband and wife and of what a journey it was going to be.

|<| |^| |>|